Davis Cup Preview: Key September Clashes for Korea, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, and India

World Group I action will bring together four Asian nations this weekend, each aiming to move a step closer to next year’s Davis Cup Qualifiers. Korea face Kazakhstan in Chuncheon, Chinese Taipei take on Norway in Taipei City, and India travel to Switzerland for a tie in Biel. With players such as Kwon Soonwoo, Chung Hyeon, Casper Ruud, Alexander Bublik, Tseng Chun-hsin, and Sumit Nagal in action, the stage is set for a compelling round of ties where national pride, home advantage, and emerging talent could all prove decisive.

WORLD GROUP I TIES

Korea, Rep. vs Kazakhstan — Chuncheon, Korea

Korea and Kazakhstan will meet at the Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon, where the tie will be played outdoors on a hard court. Korea's captain, Chung Jong-sam, has selected the 2018 Australian Open semifinalist and former world No. 19, Chung Hyeon as the top singles player. However, Chung—whose injury struggles have been well documented—comes into the tie with less than ideal preparation, having not played a professional match since July. On the other hand, Kwon Soonwoo has been in stellar form on the ITF Tour this year, despite still serving in the military. He's been able play limited tournaments during his mandatory military service, boasting an impressive 81% win rate and three title wins.

Therefore, Kwon might be the player chosen to face Kazakhstan's star player, Alexander Bublik, whose incredible form this year has seen him rise back into the world's top 20. Kwon and Bublik have faced each other once before at Tour level, in a match in Kazakhstan that the Korean won on the way to his first ATP Tour title. Rounding off the Korean team are Shin Sanhui, Park Uisung and the experienced doubles specialist, Nam Ji-sung. Joining Bublik in the Kazakh team are Alexander Shevchenko, Beibit Zhukayev, Timofey Skatov, and Dmitry Popko.

Shevchenko, a former top-50 player, arrives in Korea fresh off a runner-up finish at the Sumter Challenger, while the powerful serve of Zhukayev should make him comfortable on the hard courts of Chuncheon. With Shin and Park lacking experience at this level, much will depend on the quality and composure of Chung and Kwon to give the hosts a fighting chance. Nam’s proven doubles ability and strong Davis Cup record could be just as decisive. Though Korea enter the tie as underdogs, home advantage and a determined lineup ensure the stage is set for some compelling tennis.

Chinese Taipei vs Norway — Taipei City, Taiwan

Chinese Taipei welcome Norway to the Taipei Tennis Center for their first-ever Davis Cup meeting, with both nations chasing a place in next year’s Qualifiers. The hosts will rely on their top player Tseng Chun-hsin, supported by Wu Tung-lin, Jason Jung, Huang Tsung-hao, and Ray Ho, to make the most of home advantage on indoor hard courts. Captain Lu Yen-hsun will regret the absence of Hsu Yu-hsiou, arguably the most effective of the Taiwanese squad in these conditions.

Norway arrive with world No. 12 Casper Ruud spearheading the team, backed by Viktor Durasovic and a younger group of players. Among them is 19-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, already a three-time ATP Challenger champion and one of the most promising teenagers on tour. Tseng will shoulder much of the responsibility for the hosts, though his preference for clay and lack of firepower compared with Norway’s leading men could make his task difficult.

Wu Tung-lin offers more natural punch but has endured a difficult season, while veteran Jason Jung is only just returning to the circuit after more than a year out. On the plus side, Jung has shown signs of sharpness in Challenger doubles since his comeback. Huang and Ho add further doubles experience, with Ho currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 76 in the world. Doubles may well prove Chinese Taipei’s best path to victory, as they are clear underdogs in the singles matchups. Still, with the backing of the Taipei crowd, Davis Cup ties have a history of producing surprises. This contest will be played from Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 September..

Switzerland vs India — Biel, Switzerland

Switzerland host India at the Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel for a World Group I clash that sets a youthful home core against an experienced visiting side. The Swiss line-up is headlined by 22-year-old Jerome Kym and 23-year-old Dominic Stricker, supported by Marc-Andrea Huesler and doubles specialist Jakub Paul. India bring a mix of youth and experience, with Sumit Nagal leading the singles alongside teenager Aryan Shah and 22-year-old Karan Singh, while Yuki Bhambri and N. Sriram Balaji provide a seasoned doubles partnership. India hold a 2–1 advantage in the historical head-to-head, but Switzerland’s home advantage on indoor hard courts could make the difference in what promises to be a tightly fought tie.

Kym comes into the tie in superb form, having qualified for his first Grand Slam at the US Open and reaching the third round with a gritty five-set win over 30th seed Brandon Nakashima. On the other side, India’s Sumit Nagal is primarily a clay-court specialist but has shown he can produce good results on hard courts as well. A former top-70 player and by far India’s most experienced singles competitor, his performance could prove decisive for the visitors’ chances of progressing. Young Aryan Shah may also be one to watch, having picked up encouraging wins recently on the ATP Challenger Tour. India’s strength, however, lies in doubles, with N. Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri both strong options. Bhambri in particular has been in excellent form, climbing to a career-high No. 22 in the doubles rankings after an outstanding semifinal run at the US Open. For India, the path to victory may well depend on Nagal delivering in singles and their doubles team securing the crucial middle rubber — otherwise Switzerland’s youthful core could prove too strong at home. The tie will be contested from Friday 12 to Saturday 13 September.